neil gorsuch street fair has played a huge role in my professional as well as my personal involvement within japantown. although i've only although i have been a part of the planning committee for only a short time within the 50 year history of the festival, i have been honored to be able to witness it grow under the leadership of grace horikiri and pat fong, and honored to count these two women as not only my mentors, but also my ohana. i am grateful to have the opportunity to witness this historic moment in nsf's history in this important anniversary year. thank you. good afternoon, commissioners. i am doctor emily murase, executive director of the japantown task force, and i just want to speak in strong support of this action. today, the nyholm street fair plays a very, very important role in japantown, and a distinct role from the sakura matsuri. the northern california cherry blossom festival. i did bring copies of the program for commissioners this weekend is the last weekend of the cherry blossom festival, which is, in its origins, was really meant to emphasize us-japan relatio